ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request to APPROVE an AGREEMENT with AMEREN ILLINOIS for Modernizing the UTILITY POLES on the East Side of N. UNIVERSITY STREET from Forrest Hill Avenue to War Memorial Drive in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $826,000 for Certain UTILITY POLE REPLACEMENT alongside the Current University Street Project. (Council District 2)
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BACKGROUND: Staff has negotiated with Ameren Illinois to modernize the existing utility poles along the east side of University Street in conjunction with the current reconstruction project in the section of Forrest Hill to War Memorial Drive. The City originally approached Ameren in 2014 to replace existing poles with an underground electrical system. The original estimate from Ameren to underground was in excess of $2 Million and also required existing buildings to rework their service connections, which averaged $20,000 per building.
Staff continued to meet with Ameren in an effort to lower the cost and create a corridor that increased the safety and reliability of electrical service. Ameren recently proposed the following, at a cost of $826,000:
• Raise electric conductor out of sight lines by replacing wood poles on the east side of University Street with 14" diameter composite poles that are approximately 5 feet taller than existing wood poles.
• Replace approximately 8500' of conductor.
• Underground existing street crossings by pulling cable in City provided conduit.
• Underground two 3-phase taps to the East to allow for the removal of span guys crossing University Street.
• Customer services to go back as they are today, i.e., an overhead service or an underground service - no cost estimate included for any change to customer services, including additional overhead wire, assuming existing wire will reach and be re-useable. Coordination of timing of transfer of services to be made with customers, and may require overtime expense in order to lessen disruption to customer business operations.
Staff recommends approval of the estimate, with authorization to continue to negotiate with Ameren to reduce the overall cost. Staff feels there potentially could be savings up to $25,000 in traffic control that could be seen by coordinating this work with the work currently being performed on University.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $200,000 will be paid this year from the Local Road Funds for this project with the remainder to be budgeted next year.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Residents and Business Owners along and near the Commercial corridor have experienced several power outages in the area and have asked that Ameren upgrade their system alongside the City’s University Street Project.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Ameren electrical system will be enhanced with better reliability and aesthetics by reducing the amount of utility poles along the urban commercial corridor.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The existing utility poles will only be replaced as needed through the City-Ameren Franchise Agreement. This will not result in a responsive enhancement of the system.
ALTERNATIVES: As Council Directs.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
2. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
3. Support sustainability.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works